Jos sits high on the plateau that gives Plateau State its name, and the altitude shapes everything about a stay here: days are mild, nights from mid-November to late January can drop to around 7 °C, and the roads in and out wind through steep, mountainous bends. The cooler climate has made the city a holiday and rest stop since colonial times, and it remains a cosmopolitan, commercial and administrative centre with a long history as a tin-mining town.
For a visitor, the useful split is between Jos North and Jos South. Jos North is the commercial nerve centre, holding the main market area, the banks and currency exchanges along Ahmadu Bello Way, the university and teaching hospital, and the traditional ruler's palace at Jishe. Jos South, which runs out along the Bukuru expressway towards Bukuru, holds the government houses in Rayfield and Little Rayfield and much of the industry, and commercial activity has been shifting there. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, and what each is like for different kinds of traveller.
Best areas to stay in Jos
1. Jos North
Jos North is the commercial heart of the city and the most convenient base if you want to be close to everyday services. It holds the Jos Main Market at the terminus, the Kabong and Rukuba Road satellite markets, the state branch of the Central Bank and the headquarters of most commercial banks, plus currency exchanges along Ahmadu Bello Way. Basic and essential services are all found here, and the University of Jos, its teaching hospital, the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and the Bingham University Teaching Hospital are all in this local government area.
It suits first-time visitors who want to be in the middle of things and travellers who prefer to walk to markets, banks and transport. Note that a significant slum lies within Jos North, and that recent communal clashes have pushed a good deal of commercial activity towards Jos South, so the area is busier in some parts than others. The Gbong Gwom Jos's palace and office are at Jishe, and the Nigerian Film Institute sits at the British America junction along Murtala Mohammed way.
2. Jos South
Jos South is the second most populous local government area in the state, with its council along the Bukuru expressway, and it has absorbed much of the commercial activity moving out of the north. It is also the seat of the Executive Governor, with the old Government House in Rayfield and the New Government House in Little Rayfield, and it is the industrial centre of Plateau State, home to the NASCO group, Standard Biscuits, Grand Cereals and Oil Mills, Zuma Steel West Africa, aluminium roofing industries and Jos International Breweries. Institutions here include the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, the Police Staff College, the NTA television college, the Nigerian Film Corporation and Karl Kumm University.
This is a good choice for longer stays, for travellers with business in the industrial or institutional parts of the city, and for anyone who wants a quieter base away from the market district. The city has grown together with the town of Bukuru to form the Jos-Bukuru metropolis, so accommodation spreads along the expressway rather than clustering in one spot. The 330 Nigerian Air Force station, with its airstrip and hospital, is also in Jos South along the old airport road.
3. Rayfield and Little Rayfield
Rayfield and Little Rayfield sit within Jos South and are defined by the government houses located there, which makes them the administrative quarter of the state. The surroundings are institutional rather than commercial, and the area connects easily to the Bukuru expressway and onwards into the rest of the metropolis.
It suits visitors who want a calm, formal part of town and who have their own transport or don't mind relying on it, since this is not a market-and-walking district. If your trip centres on government business or on the institutions of Jos South, basing yourself here keeps you close to them.
4. Bukuru and the expressway corridor
Bukuru lies at the southern end of the Jos-Bukuru metropolis, and the expressway between the two forms a corridor of industry, institutions and settlement. The Jos South council is headquartered along this expressway, and the agglomeration means the built-up area runs continuously rather than stopping at a clear edge.
This suits budget-conscious travellers and those passing through, since the corridor gives you a range of places to stay along a single main route. The practical point is distance: you are further from the Jos North markets and services, so plan on road travel for anything in the city centre.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: simple rooms and small guesthouse-style places, often with a restaurant and bar on site and internet access; in Nigeria, a reliable 24-hour electricity supply is a significant plus and worth asking about.
- Mid-range: larger suites and hotel-style rooms with on-site dining, bars and parking, typically in the quieter institutional and residential parts of the city.
- Splurge: full-service hotels with outdoor pools, restaurants and bars or lounges, coffee shops, free WiFi in public areas, breakfast and valet parking, and services such as dry cleaning.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in Jos North for a first visit. It puts you in the commercial nerve centre, within reach of the main market, the banks and currency exchanges along Ahmadu Bello Way, the university and the main hospitals, so the practical business of a trip is easy to handle. If you prefer a quieter base and don't mind travelling in for those services, Jos South along the Bukuru expressway is the alternative.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Jos, and what should I pack?
The climate is closer to temperate than most of Nigeria, with average monthly temperatures of 21–25 °C. From mid-November to late January, night-time temperatures drop as low as 7 °C, so bring warm layers for the evenings; hail sometimes falls during the rainy season.
How do I get to Jos?
Jos is linked by road, rail and air to the rest of the country, and is served by Yakubu Gowon Airport. Rail connections no longer operate, as the only currently working section of Nigeria's rail network is the western line from Lagos to Kano. By road, the drive in and out involves very steep and winding bends and mountainous scenery typical of the plateau.
Which areas are best if I want nightlife and dining?
Jos North is the commercial nerve centre and holds the widest range of services, from the main market to the banks and exchanges along Ahmadu Bello Way. Jos South, along the Bukuru expressway, is where much commercial activity has been shifting and is the quieter alternative.
Is Jos a good base for seeing the rest of the region?
Yes. Jos connects most of the North-Eastern state capitals to Abuja by road, and sits roughly 179 kilometres from the capital, so it works well as a stopping point for travel through North-Central Nigeria.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.